We're honored to introduce Liz Scott, co-founder and co-executive director of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, whose family's story continues to inspire the fight against childhood cancer.

What began as a simple lemonade stand in a family's front yard has grown into one of the nation's leading childhood cancer fundraising organizations. Through Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, Liz Scott has helped fund groundbreaking research, support families facing childhood cancer, and carry forward her daughter Alex's extraordinary legacy. We sat down with Liz to talk about Alex's story, Lemonade Days, and the lasting impact of giving back—one cup at a time.

1. For readers discovering Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for the first time, can you share the story behind how Alex’s Lemonade Stand began and how it grew into the foundation it is today?

It all started with our daughter Alex. She was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma just before her first birthday. After years of treatment in our home state of Connecticut, we decided to go to Philadelphia for an experimental new treatment. During that hospital stay, Alex started to tell us how she felt better and wanted to hold a lemonade stand. Like any kid, she kept asking us about hosting this lemonade stand. Finally, we asked her what she wanted to buy so badly. She said she wanted to give the money to her doctors to help other kids.

We thought it was such a cute idea, so we set up a stand in our front yard in 2000. It was bigger than we ever imagined. She raised $2,000 that first day with her brothers and held stands every year after until she passed away in 2004 at 8 years old. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has really grown from Alex’s original vision and the help of thousands of people who have since hosted their own stands, donated, and volunteered their time to continue Alex’s dream of finding cures for all kids with cancer. We actually made a documentary about Alex’s story if anyone wants to see more.

Now, we’re at nearly $400 million raised and excited to see our total grow during Lemonade Days this June, when people from all over host their own lemonade stands to fund research for kids with cancer and carry on Alex’s legacy.

2. One of the most moving parts of Alex’s story is how determined she was to help other children, even while facing cancer herself. What do you hope families take away from her legacy?

That anyone can make a difference. We get letters from kids who heard about Alex’s story and wanted to give what they could. Sometimes it’s the $10 they had in their piggy bank or the $20 they raised at their stand. Those are the moments that stick with me more than anything because they embody our idea of accomplishing big things, one cup at a time.

3. Lemonade Days has become such a meaningful tradition for families. What has it been like to watch Alex’s idea grow into a nationwide movement supporting childhood cancer research?

Moving. I can still remember gathering supplies for Alex’s front-yard stand and packing lemonade kits in our garage to send to fundraisers across the country. Now we see families, schools, and businesses setting up their stands just because they want to continue what Alex started. We have so many wonderful chefs in the culinary community, too, who’ve been inspired by Alex’s story and started events to support our Foundation.

It shows the power of Alex’s message and the passion that people have for this cause.

4. Hosting a lemonade stand can be such a meaningful way for children to feel involved. What are some of the most creative or memorable Lemonade Days stands you’ve seen over the years?

People go above and beyond. We’ve had someone set the world record for the biggest cup of lemonade (1,735 gallons!). Two middle schools started a competition where they set up a big lemonade stand and compete in different games for an imaginary trophy with a whole backstory. Beyond just stands, we’ve also had people walk or bike across America, climb mountains, and do all sorts of crazy, amazing things.

5. So much of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s work goes beyond lemonade stands alone. Can you share more about the impact the foundation is making for children and families today?

We really try to support families facing childhood cancer every step of the way. That starts with research. We’ve funded nearly 2,000 projects at hospitals in North America and Europe, trying to, of course, find new ways to beat cancer, but also provide treatments that cause fewer side effects for these kids as they’re growing up.

We also provide resources to families to try and help them navigate a diagnosis, like covering travel costs for families who need to fly or drive to a new hospital for treatments that could save their child’s life, or providing emotional support mailings to siblings of children fighting cancer.

6. Outside of the foundation, are there any traditions around summer, lemonade stands, or family gatherings that still feel especially nostalgic or meaningful to you?

This is a hard question because so many of our family traditions were different when Alex was with us. Plus, my kids are grown now, so we have shifted away from many of the traditions we had when the kids were younger, like marching in our neighborhood Fourth of July parade or visiting grandparents at the beach. Summertime for our family comes with a lot of the wonderful traditions we still have, like taking summer vacations together, but it’s also filled with a lot of mixed emotions, as Alex passed away in August and the weeks leading up to it were a difficult time.

7. For families interested in participating this year, how can they sign up for Lemonade Days, and what can they expect to receive in the free fundraising kit?

All they have to do is go to LemonadeDays.org and click the register button. It’s free, easy, and there’s no fundraising minimum. Once you sign up, you’ll have an event page on our website where people can donate online, and we have coaches to help you plan your lemonade stand!

The fundraising kit this year is extra exciting, with decorations like pennants, banners, and posters, plus fun items for kids like wristbands, temporary tattoos, and stickers. You’ll get a copy of our children’s book about Alex’s story, too. We have more lemonade stand supplies available for purchase in our Alex’s Shop.

This year, we’re channeling Alex and setting a big goal for Lemonade Days by trying to serve one million cups of lemonade in June. You can follow along with our progress on Instagram and TikTok @AlexsLemonade.

Discover the mission behind Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, the impact they're making for children and families, and ways to get involved during Lemonade Days.